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Which kayak for me ?
The time has come (Closed)

simond11

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The time has come

Hi all

Yes, the time has come...I have decided to buy another kayak.
Although I love my Q Kayak Escapade and have fitted it with every accessory possible, I am seriously looking at the Ocean Kayak Prowler 15. I am about to take a test paddle on it in Auckland Harbour. I like the fact it is longer, as I do only ocean fishing. It is also laid out better and has more space for tackle. I weigh about 75Kg and are 179cm tall. Any suggestions for or against such a choice would be appreciated.
Thanks

Simon
Q Kayak Escapade

25/Aug/2005, 8:11 am

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The Mariner
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Re: The time has come

Hi Simon,

Auckland Harbour emoticon

How you gonna fit one in your luggage if you decide to buy emoticon

One of the biggest comments about the P15 is that the plastic is maybe a bit thin to support heavier paddlers, which you aren't, and that it can be a wet ride for heavier paddlers, again which you aren't.

O.K. had a bit of a QC issue with leaking rudder posts & some flushmount rod holder holes were cut oversize which may allow the holders to pull out under load but I believe these issues were swiftly taken care of.

If you like it and are OK with the transportation of a larger kayak like the P15 then I can't see a reason not to get one.

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Phil.

Forum Administrator.

Visit www.hookedonkayaks.com.au for kayaks and kayak fishing accessories.

25/Aug/2005, 11:14 am

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simond11

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Re: The time has come

Hi Phil
I had about an hour paddle on it. Although I found it more responsive than the Escapade I still thought it was quite "heavy". The rudder was a crappy system, as it was a hire boat. The guy at Fergs Kayaks suggested I also look at the Prowler 13'. He thought it was a bit more responsive and probably better for fishing. Must admit that I thought the rudder system is great, especially when drifting. Frees your hands a bit when you are drifting.
I wouldn't mind also discussing with the Wilderness System that you have in stock. as I said..I do a lot of ocean fishing and would like a slightly longer yak. I liked the stability of the Prowler but maybe at 15' there is a lot of wasted space.
Might give you a call, Phil, when I get back to Sydney.
P.S I am sure the Captain wouldn't mind me sticking a 15' yak in the crew rest on a 747-400.
Thanks for the comments.
Cheers

Simon
Q Kayak Escapadehttp://img.runboard.com/img/default_post_icons/teef.gif
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25/Aug/2005, 1:31 pm

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The Mariner
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Re: The time has come

Hi Simon,

From what I can understand the P13 has more legroom & the footwells drain a lot better than the P15. Speed-wise though it's a bit slower. From mamory 'Gatesie' has one so maybe ask him about them.

I'm due to get get my T160i's sometime in September but I still don't know if that'll be early, mid or late. Happy to discuss them with you though.

I had very little response when I ran my advertising campaign about them in June/July but I have had lots of enquiries recently so now I wish I had ordered a few more emoticon

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Regards,

Phil.

Forum Administrator.

Visit www.hookedonkayaks.com.au for kayaks and kayak fishing accessories.

25/Aug/2005, 2:28 pm

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gatesie

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Re: The time has come

Simon,

i pick up my prowler 13 in about 3 weeks. Have to spend some money first and take the misses to Fiji - we leave tomorrow morning for a week and of course a rod is going with me - trying to locate a hardware store for PVC in the city is harder the i thought.

Mate i took the p13 for a paddle i weigh 86 kilos and was sitting in the moulded seat with no cushion and my arse was almost dry when i got out - after an hour and crossing as many cruiser waves as possible from as many different angles as possible. tiny bit of water in the foot wells but not enough to bother me - about a 1.5 centimetres of my heel was in the water.

don't know if this will help at all - but good luck

Last edited by gatesie, 26/Aug/2005, 7:30 am

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Cheers

Michael (Gatesie)

26/Aug/2005, 7:29 am

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bent1

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Re: The time has come

Hi simond, mate i love my P15 and find it bulletproof. It has survived a car crash where i drove my commodore off a gully, and wrapped it around a huge boulder and some trees. My roof racks came off during the accident and them and my prowler ended up around 15 feet in front of what was left of the commodore (total write off). I use it for rock fishing as the island i live on is as big as singapore but on the top half where i live there is only 50 permanent residents. As it is all farms to the coast i paddle around and then beach the yak on the rocks. I have dropped it fully loaded on the rocks and it bounced. From what i read on the US sites Ocean Kayaks are renowned for their strength and also for their customer service should you have a problem. They also feature a 3 year warranty. I have only had it for 9 months but would of racked up over 300 hours of use in it as i average around 12 hours a week in it (used 3 times a week religously).
I would not consider getting it without a rudder if you want to either paddle across swell/wind chop or troll adjacent to structure. I spent a fair bit of time in mine on calm days with the rudder not in the water annd it is fine but one those adverse days or when i want to work structure i wouldn't be without it. hope this helps.

Catch ya Bent

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"Katana" OK Prowler XT

27/Aug/2005, 2:15 pm

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simond11

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Re: The time has come

Hi guys
Thank you for all the replies. I have narrowed down my initial search to the Swift, the Tarpon 160 and the Prowler 13', although I have not dismissed the 15'.
Will do some test paddles next week.
Again thanks for all your help, and especially to The Mariner for all his fantastic advice.
Cheers

Simon
Q Kayak Escapade

27/Aug/2005, 8:47 pm

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